National Park Service awards $4,952 contract for LCM propeller repair, highlighting specialized maritime needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,952 ($5.0K)

Contractor: Wilmington Propeller Service, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 28 days

Daily Burn Rate: $177/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REPAIR ON 2 LCM SURF RANGER PROPELLERS, CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK, VENTURA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Place of Performance

Location: VENTURA, VENTURA County, CALIFORNIA, 93001

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $4,952 to WILMINGTON PROPELLER SERVICE, INC. for work described as: REPAIR ON 2 LCM SURF RANGER PROPELLERS, CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK, VENTURA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Key points: 1. Contract addresses a niche requirement for LCM (Landing Craft Mechanized) propeller repair, indicating specialized maritime operational support. 2. The award was made through the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the National Park Service. 4. The short duration of the repair task (28 days) indicates a focused and potentially urgent need. 5. The contract's value is relatively small, suggesting it is part of a larger maintenance or operational budget. 6. The geographic location in Ventura County, California, points to specific operational assets within the Channel Islands National Park.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4,952 for propeller repair appears reasonable for specialized maritime services. Benchmarking against similar propeller repair contracts is difficult without more specific details on the LCM model and the extent of the repair. However, given the niche nature of the equipment and the fixed-price award, it suggests a fair assessment of cost for the required service. The National Park Service likely obtained good value by procuring a specialized repair for essential operational equipment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition for procurements under the federal micro-purchase threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP generally encourages competition among qualified vendors. The use of SAP suggests that the agency sought competitive bids to ensure fair pricing for this relatively small but specialized service.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this procurement, even under SAP, helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by obtaining a fair market price for essential equipment repair.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Park Service operations within Channel Islands National Park, ensuring the continued functionality of their maritime assets. The service delivered is the repair of LCM propellers, critical components for landing craft used in park operations. The geographic impact is localized to Ventura County, California, where the park's operational facilities are likely situated. The contract supports specialized maritime repair services, potentially benefiting a small, skilled workforce in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited vendor pool for highly specialized maritime repairs.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical component repair could pose a risk if not managed properly.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Short performance period suggests efficient execution.
Competition under SAP likely ensured a reasonable price.

Sector Analysis

The maritime repair sector, particularly for specialized vessels like LCMs, represents a niche within the broader shipbuilding and repair industry. This contract fits within the government's need to maintain a diverse fleet of operational assets, even those used for park management and logistics. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the specificity of the equipment, but the overall market for ship and boat building and repairing is substantial, with government contracts forming a significant portion.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting requirements. Given the specialized nature of LCM propeller repair, it is possible that small businesses with the requisite expertise could have bid. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were available or utilized.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a Purchase Order, a common mechanism for acquiring goods and services. Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the National Park Service responsible for maritime assets. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Fleet Maintenance
Department of the Interior Maritime Operations
Ship and Boat Building and Repairing Services

Risk Flags

Specialized Equipment Repair
Niche Maritime Services
Potential Vendor Lock-in

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $4,952 to WILMINGTON PROPELLER SERVICE, INC.. REPAIR ON 2 LCM SURF RANGER PROPELLERS, CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK, VENTURA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WILMINGTON PROPELLER SERVICE, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4,952.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the specific type of LCM and the nature of the propeller damage requiring repair?

The provided data does not specify the exact model of the Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) or the detailed nature of the propeller damage. LCMs are typically used for amphibious operations, capable of carrying heavy loads from ship to shore. Propeller damage can range from minor nicks and erosion to significant structural damage from impacts. Understanding the specifics would allow for a more precise assessment of the repair complexity, the required expertise, and the appropriateness of the $4,952 cost. Without this detail, the assessment relies on general knowledge of maritime repair costs for specialized components.

How does the $4,952 cost compare to typical propeller repair costs for similar vessels?

Benchmarking the $4,952 cost for LCM propeller repair is challenging without more specific details on the LCM model and the scope of work. However, propeller repair can range significantly in price depending on the material (e.g., bronze, stainless steel), the size of the propeller, and the extent of the damage. Minor repairs or reconditioning might fall within this range, while major repairs or replacement could cost substantially more. Given that this was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, it suggests a repair that was not excessively complex or costly, making the price point plausible for specialized maritime services.

What is Wilmington Propeller Service, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly for maritime repairs?

Wilmington Propeller Service, Inc. is listed as the contractor for this award. To assess their track record, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like FPDS) to review their past performance on other federal contracts. Key areas to examine would include the types of services previously provided, contract values, performance ratings, and any history of disputes or contract terminations. A history of successful, timely, and quality performance on similar maritime repair contracts would indicate a lower risk for this current award.

What are the operational implications for the National Park Service if this repair was not completed in a timely manner?

The operational implications of a delayed propeller repair for an LCM used by the National Park Service could be significant, depending on the vessel's role. LCMs are often used for transporting personnel, equipment, or supplies to and from islands or remote coastal areas, such as those within Channel Islands National Park. A non-operational LCM could disrupt critical logistics, impact resource management activities, hinder emergency response capabilities, or affect visitor access to certain areas. The short 28-day performance period suggests the agency aimed to minimize any operational downtime.

Are there any other similar contracts awarded by the National Park Service or other agencies for LCM maintenance or repair?

To determine if there are other similar contracts, a search of federal procurement databases would be necessary, filtering by keywords such as 'LCM repair,' 'propeller repair,' 'maritime maintenance,' and relevant North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes (e.g., 336611 - Ship Building and Repairing). Examining past and current contracts for the National Park Service and other agencies that operate similar vessels (e.g., Coast Guard, Navy, Army Corps of Engineers) would provide context on pricing, competition, and vendor performance in this specialized area.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Ship and Boat Building › Ship Building and Repairing

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140P8426P0021

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 829 WATSON AVE, WILMINGTON, CA, 90744

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,952

Exercised Options: $4,952

Current Obligation: $4,952

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline